IN FULL BLOOM

Lake Forest native Meggie Julian followed an unexpected passion—and found a life she never imagined.

IF YOU HAD ASKED MEGGIE JULIAN 10 years ago what her future looked like, she likely would have described a classroom, not a floral studio.

A Lake Forest native, Julian followed a path that felt familiar and practical. She attended local schools, returned home to finish her degree at Lake Forest College, earned a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction, and began teaching eighth-grade writing. But somewhere between grading essays and lesson planning, another passion quietly began to take root.

“I always kind of did flowers on the side,” she says. “My mom had a huge garden of peonies, daylilies, and climbing roses, and I grew up learning to fill our house with flowers.”

What began as a favor for her future sister-in-law—a few floral arrangements for a bridal shower—quickly became something more. Friends started calling. Referrals followed. Before long, Julian found herself balancing two full-time jobs: teacher by day, florist by night.

“I was teaching 140 students and spending my afternoons, nights, and weekends grading essays,” she says. “Eventually I got to a point where I couldn’t do both anymore.”

The decision that followed wasn’t an easy one.

Having recently completed her master’s degree, Julian had invested years preparing for a career in education. Walking away from that path felt risky. But something kept pulling her toward flowers.

“I remember thinking, ‘I have to try,’” she says. So, she did.

Julian left the classroom and took a leap of faith on a business that, at the time, was operating largely from her parents’ basement. Today, that business has grown into Bloom Baby Florals, but Julian is quick to point out that the journey has never been a solo one.

Standing beside her through every stage has been her husband, Quinn.

The two grew up in Lake Forest and began dating as teenagers after meeting in middle school. More than a decade later, they remain partners in every sense of the word.

“We’ve been together almost 13 years,” Julian says. “We’re truly best friends.”

In the early days of Bloom Baby, Quinn became the company’s first employee. Together, they spent weekends setting up weddings, hauling flowers, and returning late at night to break everything down again.

“We were just figuring it out as we went,” Julian says. “A lot of times it was just the two of us.” That willingness to learn on the fly has become one of Julian’s defining traits. Whether tackling an ambitious floral installation she has never attempted before or managing a growing team, she has developed a confidence that only comes from repeatedly stepping outside her comfort zone.

“I think I’ve learned that I can do hard things,” she says. “I never would have imagined building something like this.”

Her confidence didn’t come naturally. By her own admission, Julian is a perfectionist. She likes organization, structure, and plans. Entrepreneurship, however, rarely offers any of those things. Instead, she learned to trust herself.

“I’m really proud of what we’ve built,” she says. “There were so many moments where I had no idea how we were going to do something.”

What continues to inspire her isn’t simply the creative work itself, but the people she gets to celebrate.

“My life is just filled with love,” she says. “We get to be part of people’s happiest days.” Many of the brides she worked with years ago now return for baby showers and family celebrations, allowing Julian to witness life’s milestones long after the wedding day has passed.

This summer marks another milestone of her own. Along with managing her busiest wedding season yet, Julian and her husband are preparing to welcome their first child.

As she looks ahead, she is thinking less about growth and more about balance, family, and building a life that reflects what matters most. Fortunately, she has become comfortable with uncertainty. After all, some of the best things in her life—including the business she never planned to start—have grown from simply being willing to begin.

“I’ve learned to just try,” Julian says. “You don’t always know exactly how it’s going to work out. Sometimes you just have to take the chance and figure it out along the way.”

To learn more about Bloom Baby Florals, visit bloombabyflorals.org.